The Shape of Things to come...

I'm going to let you in on a little secret.  I don't know how I know this, but I have a knack for knowing a little something about upcoming trends and believe me when I tell you, that this dress is going to be one of the most copied styles over the next Spring/Summer season.      

Louis Vuitton, Spring/Summer 2011 Prèt-a-porter.  Photograph by The Sartorialist.

The Cheongsam is nothing new to us but just look at the gorgeous colours and the print on the fabric.  Colour is what this season is all about!  And with designer's penchant for mixing prints with stripes (check the collar) as a well established hallmark of the current season, not to mention how well Marc Jacobs blends one era with another, well all I can say is I am in heaven!  If you feel like you need to see more, or you just want to look at something pretty, I urge you to go to Style.com to view the full runway show. 

Another shot of Karlie in her Cheongsam, photograph by Yannis Vlamos. 

Because we know that fashion is fleeting, the nipped-in waists and the minimalism we saw last season are now just that - last season.  And look at what we have to look forward to!  

This dress took my breath away - clashing colours and oh so 80s - pity it took so long for the 80s to be stylish, right?

Makes me think more and more that monsieur Marc Jacobs is the new Largerfeld - king of the runway and more importantly, king of design, style and reinvention.




H

In Brogue

Only just the other day, my very good friend Mrs McPherson and I were saying to each other how we had to get out of the shoe rut.  We lived in two pairs of shoes - Birkenstocks in the summer and Converse in the winter.  Yes we do own several other pairs of shoes, the reality is that we are both creatures of comfort and find that it is all too easy to reach for the most comfortable shoes in our wardrobe, rather than those that are much more beautiful and lets face it, stylish!

As many of my readers know, I do love to blog about the highest of heels, I love to wax lyrical about the design triumphs of Prada, Louboutin, Nicholas Kirkwood, et al because I  can't wear heels myself.  It is a sad fact but one I have come to accept about myself.  Oh I still buy them if a certain pair call my name, but they are usually only taken out of their box to be admired or to be worn when the occasion calls for it.  Sigh...

Garance Dorè in her gorgeous tan brogues.

And so it is with great delight that I show off a trend in shoes that seemed to hit the northern hemisphere during their previous autumn and which will no doubt filter its way down here to us here in the south.  The Brogue is back!

While yes, it is true that the Brogue is traditionally a men's dress shoes, these traditionally low-heeled, leather lace ups have now become a very popular style for women.  

It's mostly the quirky fashionistas that I've seen wearing these gems, but these ladies are on to something -  these shoes are so gorgeous, you have to see how versatile they are!  I am amazed how such an unlikely shoe became such a stand out trend - borne out of the trend that has seen us raiding our boyfriend's wardrobes and stealing their looks for ourselves.

Model of the moment Agness Deyn loves hers in multiple colours while stylish TV presenter Alexa Chung is rarely seen without a pair, and the two-tone pink numbers of Emma Watson's add a touch of feminine charm and look fabulous worn with just about anything you can try on.  

 

Short skirts, long skirts, trousers, shorts, tights or bare legs, socks or no socks, baggy jeans or slim fit, the choice is yours!  



Hx




Sources: Elle Magazine, Style.com, Garance Dorè, The Sartorialist, Vanessa Jackman.

Shall We Polka?

So a while back I wrote a blog about stripes.  My friend Sarah then suggested to me that I should write about polka dots.  To tell you the truth, I was a little dubious at first because to me, polka dots, spots (whatever you want to call them) are just so 80s.  I am still struggling with designer's reinvention of the 80s - especially if we wore it the first time around, (did I really just admit that?).  I also felt that spots should not really be worn by somebody over the age of 15 because, well shall I remind you of the image of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when she is on the polo field wearing that brown and white spotted dress... scary.  

Of course the ironic thing is that spots have now popped up everywhere on the fashion scene  and are currently quite the trend with designers like Dolce & Gabanna, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs and Sonia Rykiel sending them down their spring/summer runways.

So I guess these ladies don't look all that bad, do they?   

For me, polka dots have always represented a sense of fun and frivolity, and not something to be worn if you want to be taken seriously.  But then again, fashion should not really be too serious, should it?   The good news is that designers are taking spots in a different direction, mixing them with colours not seen before and the result is they are more than sophisticated, and very grown-up indeed.

Derek Lam 

Luella 

Marc by Marc Jacobs

Be wise about your choice of spots.  Don't over-do it, subtlety is key.  And if you're feeling less than daring, why not start out with a scarf or hosiery?


Because really, this is one trend that I think will not stand the test of time. 

Hx




Sources: People.com, marieclaire.com, thesartorialist, omiru, whowhatwear.com, justjared, vanessabruno, vogue.com.au, style.com, jezebel.com

Jumpsuits: No Longer Just for Men at Work?

My advice, be very careful when buying them.  While you may be drawn to the gorgeous candy colours, unless you are tall and skinny, stick to black or dark shades and go for a nice deep v-neck, rather than a strapless.  And if you're curvy, make sure you wear a belt and heels to accentuate them.

Lily Allen rocks her jumpsuit.

One jumpsuit, 2 ways to wear it.  

Derek Lam, Marc Jacobs and Chloè all showed off their take on the jumpsuit and I am sure you'll find their designs will soon trickle down into high street stores like Sportsgirl, Witchery, Max, Topshop, etc.

Of course the celebs are usually some of the first to jump on a trend.

I think that the jumpsuit could be the new shirt dress... a simple wardrobe staple because you can just throw it on and go.  What more could a girl ask for?

This is such a gorgeous look for summer.  Especially for us here in the Southern Hemisphere where we prefer a more laid-back look and where casual chic is our credo.

As seen on the Preen runway, so über comfortable, n'est-ce pas?

I love how they can be dressed up or down, are all in one, they vary in length from short rompers to long and flowing pantsuits.  And by changing the fabric, you thereby change the mood.


When worn short, they are a great way to show off your legs, you can pair them with heels of any height or you can wear them with your flats, a nice pair of gladiators do the trick every time.


If you want to look fashion forward, feminine and show off your curves, then get a jumpsuit.  There are some that may take a more daring woman to wear, but I promise you, there are plenty out there for those of us that like to remain casual, even in the evening.  Subtle styles dominate the jumpsuit so it won't be difficult to find one to suit you.

The jumpsuit is another one of those trends (think Harem pants) that have been subtly sneaking back into our wardrobe.  They were super chic in the 70's; long or short, flowing and elegant.  But,we are NOT talking Elvis here, far from it!
They are fun to wear and chic to boot, there are literally an unlimited number of beautiful colours, styles and designs to choose from, so don't be afraid.  They are being seen in cotton, linen, flowing fabrics, denim and glitter too.

Bare legs for day look best with your short jumpsuit.  Try it with a cropped jacket or cardigan, gorgeous accessories like chunky bangles and necklaces or a pashmina.  Try flats with your tight fitting jumpsuits and heels with your more flowing numbers.

Jumpsuits are a must for the Spring/Summer season.  I know you're cringing, but don't, because if you take a leap of faith and jump in (pardon the pun), you will find these a valuable addition to your wardrobe.  Dressed up or dressed down, they are a trend that isn't going away and could even end up as a favourite basic of every girl's wardrobe (shock horror!)

And yes, while the celebs do look very chic and super cute in their jumpsuits, and many of us will look great too, it is important to remember that THE KEY TO STYLE IS TO DO WHAT YOU WANT.  

Ciao for now,

Hx

Sources: Vanessa Jackman, Refinery29, WhoWhatWear, ElleUK, My Fashion Plate.

Cargo Comeback!

The sun is shining today, which is not something that happens a lot lately here in Wellington.  Sitting outside taking in the warmth of the sun's rays, I was enjoying my morning lattè and flicking through the pile of glossy magazines brought back from the States by my adoring hubby on the weekend (so spoilt, I know).  Anyway, while marking pages and dreaming up blog ideas I started thinking about glorious spring -  how I could hardly wait for it and then of course this led to the inevitable "what about my wardrobe?"  Argh panic! 

I know I have written about cargo pants before but it was only a little post about shopping and given my penchant for a good pair of cargos, I've decided to re-visit the topic because I want to show you how important cargo pants are to your wardrobe - your spring wardrobe that is.

 As seen in Vogue Australia November 2002

I guess many of you may have thought that cargo pants were passè, even gauche.  Well I'm here to tell you that they’re back and they are looking better than ever.  Designers are taking their lead from master cutter Nicolas Ghesquiere.  We are seeing cargo pants in many new interesting cuts and finishes.  I've seen them (and bought them) in flared ankle, a tied ankle even capri length.  Some have been finished with drawstring waist and belt loops and some even have embroidery down the legs.  They can be made out of just about any fabric you can think of, thereby making them as comfy as a pair of tracky-daks but without the daggy-factor.  I believe that cargo pants are as essential to every girl's wardrobe as jeans.  Seriously I do!  Yes jeans are fabulous and without doubt, super important to our wardrobe, but not all are cut for comfort now are they?  Try sitting on a long-haul plane journey in jeans and you'll know what I mean.

Sass and Bide silk cargos - on my wish list.

I have loved cargo pants from day one and I have always owned at least one pair in my wardrobe since 1998.  My first pair were of course, khaki, made of raw silk and purchased from Sportsgirl for the exhorbitant sum of $89.95 - back then that was a lot of money.  I wore them right up until the seat wore out in them.  Such a sad, sad day when I finally had to part with them... 

All Saints (top left) on stage in their baggy cargos.

In 1998,  cargo pants became mainstream when British girl band All Saints took to the stage wearing baggy cargo pants with trainers.  For several seasons now this ubiquitous garment has been available in just about any high street store.

If only we could all look this hot in our cargos... Jennifer Anison shows us how it's done.

Paris Vogue's Emmanuel Alt wearing cargos - the ultimate in chic - if they're wearing them in Paris, then shouldn't we all be wearing them?

Carrie Bradshaw in cargos and Manolo's.

Nicolas Ghesquiere brought cargo chic to the house of Balenciaga back in 2002 when he sent models down the runway in silk le dix cargo pants in khaki and pink.  I remember these Balenciaga silk cargos - they broke the mould and sent the cargo upscale - the haute cargo, if you will.  Trends show that it is the fabric shift and design nuances that have helped bring the interest in cargo pants back.

Balenciaga Prèt-a-porter Spring 2002.

Cargos look best in khaki, white and black but there is also some that are orange and red and they are gorgeous, it's a shame that more designers don't make them in vibrant colours.  I hear that they do exist, but I am yet to find them in my part of the world.  If you know where I can find them in more colours, can you let me know?

  For your first pair, you should buy khaki - what else?

I remember seeing pictures of Jennifer Aniston in gorgeous Maharishi cargos back in 2002.  These pants were suddenly a hot style item thanks to these pictures.  I've been able to find a picture of Jen in her Maharishi cargo pants - the same pair she's owned since 2002.  It's gives me a sense of solidarity knowing that someone like Jennifer Aniston still wears favourites and doesn't throw them out just because she can afford to buy new ones at her leisure.  I have been known to wear clothes until they are so worn out that they are full of holes and even after I've patched them up and they are beyond repair, I turn them into gardening and house painting clothes.  I just find parting with favourite clothes unbearable and I refuse to get rid of them until they are not even good enough to be used as a rag.  My best friend Kirsty will back me up on this - she has seen me wear my favourite clothes until they basically fall apart, for as long as she's known me, (remember those blue and green batik Esprit shorts Kirst?)

 Jennifer Aniston in her beloved Maharishi cargos.

Women's cargo pants are more draped, especially when constructed of silk and that is why they can be worn in the evening dressed up with a stiletto.  They are also multi-generational, which is to say they can be worn by women of all ages.  The right pair can be extremely flattering on a woman.  These days we are seeing the cargo pant being cut a lot like our favourite pair of jeans.  Case in point, the skinny cargo pant (see below).

 DKNY

 Impure Minds

Guess

Cargo pants are so basic, so versatile. They’re masculine pants but when worn on a woman, they are given a feminine twist by nothing simpler than the shape of her.

 Sarah Jessica Parker in cargos as seen in UK Elle, September 2000.

While flicking through some old Australian Vogue's for research on this topic, I found a fantastic article; "How To Wear Cargo".

1. Forget high-tech trainers and combat boots, instead, dress up cargo pants with sky-high stilettos.
2. Consider khaki the new neutral and brighten the look with summer pastels.
3. Do wear cargo pants slung low on the hips.
4. This is not a G.I. Jane moment, do not wear cargo head-to-toe.
5. Soften the look with ethnic and romantic tops.
6. For an easy weekend option, invest in a khaki parka.
7. Mix and match cargos with denim by day or sparkly vintage tops by night.
8. Don't borrow from your boyfriend unless you have his cargos tailored to fit.
9. Swap the 90's nylon versions for soft, slouch cotton drill.
10. Do customise them: taper the legs, add a drawstring, or crop the length.

And that was how it was done.  I don't think much has changed, do you?

How cargo pants were worn in Paris and New York in 2002 - not much has changed.

Look, I know that cargo pants are not the most stylish or elegant piece of clothing out there, but for my money, they keep me from feeling like I'm getting too old to wear something that I might see on a person half my age, and most especially, as comfort is key, you just can't go past them.

Sass and Bide cargos as seen in Madison magazine, May 2009.

I might just add that their only down side, is the ridiculous amount of ironing they require!

Ciao for now,
Hx


Sources:  Style.com, Vogue Australia, Madison Australia, Google.com, British Vogue, Garance Dorè.